Born to Fly is the first tale I have read by Becky Barker, and I confess that until I came across this book I had not previously heard of her. Her stories have been translated into over a dozen languages and are available in e-book and hard copy formats. What grabbed my attention was that one of the main characters is a pilot. I had been looking for this type of storyline since reading another tale that featured pilots, having thoroughly enjoyed it. I am happy to proclaim that Born to Fly did not let me down--it is excellent and well written.

Born to Fly is the first in the series of Prescott Pilots and I snapped up the others in the trilogy as soon as I saw they were also up for review. This could have been premature on my part, as I did not know at that stage whether I would like the author’s style of writing. I have this expensive compulsion to read all books in any miniseries that I begin. Having read Born to Fly, I am glad I did sign up for the others, as now I can read the romances of Sharla’s sisters.

Triplet sisters Sharla, Dee and Carlie are all pilots working in their family business. Their ex-military father, Bear, also has a pilot’s license, but cannot fly for the family business due to a minor heart condition that denies him coverage on the business insurance. Their mother, Belle, is receptionist. The first few years were difficult, with people untrusting of female pilots, but having established themselves, business is now brisk.

Sharla comes back from a four-day weekend to find that she is to fly Reed Connors around for a week. She can’t believe it. It’s not her turn. She piloted him the last time; it’s one of her sisters’ turns. Unfortunately, they are fully booked and want to get even with her for her long weekend of rest. Resigned, she agrees--but is inflamed when he requests her father instead, unaware of his inability to fly for the company. She believes he prefers her father out of some sense of chauvinism, but this is not the case. Nevertheless, since Bear isn’t allowed to fly, Reed is stuck with her.

Reed Connors, a U.S Marshall, is acting as a decoy to protect a witness in the protection program. Though he is against this idea, it is out of his hands. Unable to use another charter service for fear of arousing the suspicions of the wrong people, he has to use his usual service, Prescott Pilots. Only he doesn’t want one of the women, particularly Sharla, whom he has been secretly attracted to for the last three years, to get caught up in the middle of a potentially dangerous situation and get hurt. He requests Bear, not realizing how his request would sound to Sharla or that Bear was grounded. After being made aware of this, he realizes Sharla will have to be his pilot. As a precaution, he makes plans to keep her safe by removing her from the line of fire upon reaching Nashville in a week’s time.

Do everyone’s plans go smoothly? Or do several major kinks disrupt them? What of the attraction between Sharla and Reed that for the past few years has expressed itself as antagonism? Will these two distinctive personalities, each very committed to their careers, be able to work out a way to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome their hesitations and insecurities? Will Reed be able to keep Sharla out of the line of fire?

Becky Barker has created a story that keeps the reader on their toes in anticipation of what happens from one paragraph to the next. Little is given away until the optimal time comes. I did not see several parts of the story coming. Unexpected for me since I usually have some sort of sixth sense as to what is going to happen. The characters are brilliant, each with their own insecurities, worries and fears. Each loves the other intensely but they are unaware of the other's feelings for a significant period of time. Each fears for the safety of the other. Their relationship is turbulent but this works in Born to Fly. Very well spun, this is a tale I shall undoubtedly read again, but for now I am moving on to the next in this promising trilogy--and then the next.

Reviewed By Elizabeth
© August 2005